Electricity.Trade’s May 2026 regional analysis links growing electricity import dependence with industrial procurement, investment decisions and competitiveness. During May, Italy, Hungary, Croatia, Romania and Serbia stayed net electricity importers. Greece, Bulgaria and Türkiye recorded net export positions. The analysis also points to sourcing considerations beyond price, including availability, traceability, volatility management and long-term supply security.
Net import volumes and share of electricity mix
The scale of net imports was substantial in multiple Southeast European markets. Italy recorded 3,706.01 GWh of net imports, followed by Hungary with 1,076.31 GWh, Croatia with 583.90 GWh, Romania with 440.59 GWh and Serbia with 422.97 GWh. The analysis describes these volumes as increasingly influencing market exposure rather than temporary adjustments. It also highlights exposure for large industrial consumers to regional supply conditions and cross-border transmission constraints.
Import reliance also showed up in the electricity mix in several countries. In Croatia, net imports accounted for 43.78% of the electricity mix. Hungary relied on imports for 29.97%, while Italy’s share was 17.97%. The same May assessment links this pattern to neighbouring market price movements affecting industrial demand-side exposure.
Contract structures shift toward origin and risk details
The growing role of imports is changing how companies structure electricity contracts. Traditional fixed-price agreements may not fully reflect risks linked to suppliers relying on imported power, volatile day-ahead markets, congestion costs or gas-driven marginal pricing. Industrial buyers are increasingly seeking procurement arrangements with clearer information on supply origin and price exposure. The analysis also references balancing responsibilities, renewable content and carbon attributes as elements being requested.
This shift is described as particularly relevant for CBAM-exposed industries and firms supplying European markets. Electricity consumption in manufacturing processes is cited as becoming part of customer due diligence and carbon reporting, alongside future competitiveness strategies. Export-oriented companies are described as requiring contracts that are cost-effective while also traceable, verifiable and financially reliable. Renewable power purchase agreements (PPAs) are noted as needing strong metering systems, delivery verification and credible documentation for customers, investors and financial institutions.
May 2026 prices in import-reliant countries
The May market data cited in the analysis shows elevated electricity prices across several import-reliant countries. Italy averaged €119.35/MWh, Romania €109.56/MWh, Hungary €106.51/MWh, Croatia €103.58/MWh and Serbia €96.63/MWh. The assessment states that imports were not always the only factor behind higher prices. It adds that import reliance increases exposure to regional volatility and external market conditions.
According to Electricity.Trade, electricity import dependence should increasingly be treated as a commercial and industrial risk factor rather than only a trading statistic . As Southeast Europe’s power markets become more interconnected, the analysis says energy-intensive companies will need procurement strategies combining price hedging, renewable sourcing, cross-border risk management and CBAM-ready documentation . It also states that the region is moving away from simple electricity purchasing toward verified, transparent and strategically managed electricity procurement .
